Tag: Russia

Russian defense spending overtakes Europe, study finds

Posted on by Lone Candle

In purchasing power parity terms, Russia’s military spending is higher than Europe’s.

https://www.politico.eu/article/russian-defense-spending-overtakes-europe-study-finds/

Trump’s Car Tariffs Could Drive Slovakia Into Russia’s Arms

Posted on by Lone Candle

“Slovakia has a population of just 5.4 million, yet it is one of Europe’s leading car manufacturers, heavily reliant on auto production and exports to the U.S. Home to five major car manufacturers and more than 350 local suppliers, Slovakia is not only the second-largest E.U. exporter of vehicles to the U.S., but also the biggest car producer per capita in the world.
Slovakia manufactures and exports higher-end SUVs from brands like Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, Range Rover, and—starting in 2026—Volvo. With SUVs accounting for 46 percent of total annual auto sales in the U.S., the tariffs are likely to hurt models that are especially popular among American consumers.

According to the National Bank of Slovakia, the Slovak economy “would decrease cumulatively by nearly 3 percent” due to the new tariffs, and “would also mean the loss of 20,000 jobs.” The bank projects that Slovakia’s economy will “suffer the most in 2026, when its growth would barely stay above zero” and that by 2027, the automotive tariffs alone could reduce gross domestic product by 0.3 to 0.5 percentage points. The bank’s governor referred to the prospects of a 25 percent car tariff impact as a “small Armageddon.””

https://reason.com/2025/04/10/trumps-car-tariffs-could-drive-slovakia-into-russias-arms/

Russia – Ukraine War. Operational Report Q1’25 [Mapped]

Posted on by Lone Candle

Ukraine’s biggest problem is a lack of manpower. Russia’s manpower advantage is growing. Russia doesn’t want a ceasefire, because Putin believes he has the advantage and can gain more by continuing the war.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK1N1nTjbic

Five Questions for Stephen Kotkin: Advice for the New Administration (and the Rest of Us)

Posted on by Lone Candle

NATO was a defensive alliance of pacifists with small military budgets. It was not a threat to Russia and not Putin’s reason for invading Ukraine.

If Nixon really did make the comment about the madman theory referring to a part of his strategy in Vietnam…it didn’t work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q8wTBy_tgKo

Russia Launches Major Ground Assault in Kursk

Posted on by Lone Candle

Russian advancement in Kursk coincided with Trump removing intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7N3q8-FdKHg

After Trump-Putin call, Russia agrees to limited Ukraine ceasefire

Posted on by Lone Candle

“The United States said Russia had agreed to an energy and infrastructure ceasefire. After Moscow and Kyiv agree to stop hitting each other’s power plants and electric grids, negotiators would move on to a potential halt in fighting on the Black Sea − and then to a full ceasefire and peace agreement in the 3-year-old Ukraine war, a White House statement said.
Trump said on social media the talk ended “with an understanding that we will be working quickly to have a Complete Ceasefire and, ultimately, an END to this very horrible War between Russia and Ukraine.”

…

“Ukraine backers immediately slammed the scaled-back agreement as one that would primarily benefit Russia.

The agreement would keep Ukraine from striking Russia’s oil refineries”

…

“Putin was likely to pull back from attacks on energy infrastructure in warmer weather anyway, said Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the conservative Hudson Institute.

“Recognizing the need to offer something to stay in President Trump’s good graces, he delivered only the bare minimum,” said Coffey, who was senior adviser Britain’s defense ministry.”

https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-putin-call-russia-agrees-175627523.html